New this week

"The Commuter," thriller, PG-13. A businessman (Liam Neesom) is caught up in a criminal conspiracy during his daily commute home. With Vera Farmiga, Patrick Wilson, Sam Neill and Elizabeth McGovern. Opens Jan. 12 at chain theaters, with preview showings the evening of Jan. 11.

"Paddington 2," family comedy, PG. Paddington, the snappily dressed bear, now happily settled with the Brown family, picks up a series of odd jobs to buy the perfect present for his Aunt Lucy's 100th birthday, only to have the gift stolen. With Ben Whishaw (voicing Paddington), Hugh Bonneville and villain Hugh Grant. Opens Jan. 12 at chain theaters, with preview showings the evening of Jan. 11.

"The Post," historical drama, PG-13, Grade: B-plus. In 1971, The Washington Post's executive editor, Ben Bradlee (Tom Hanks), and owner, Kay Graham (Meryl Streep), debate publication of excerpts from The Pentagon Papers, leaked reports on the Vietnam War that reveal the lies told through four presidential administrations. The Nixon White House is seeking criminal charges against both the leaker and any press outlet that prints the secrets. Opens Jan. 12 at Grail Moviehouse, Flat Rock Cinema and chain theaters, with preview screenings the evening of Jan. 11 at the chains.

Now playing

“All the Money in the World,” historical drama, R, Grade: B. This story of the kidnapping of 16-year-old John Paul Getty III in 1973, and of the desperate attempt by his mother (Michelle Williams) to persuade his billionaire grandfather Jean Paul Getty to pay the ransom, is now best known as the movie from which Kevin Spacey was erased. Within the past two months, director Ridley Scott reshot all Spacey’s scenes (as the older Getty) with Christopher Plummer in the part. Co-stars Mark Wahlberg.

"Coco," animated, PG, Grade: A. On the Day of the Dead, 12-year-old aspiring musician Miguel finds himself trapped in the Land of the Dead, and he must solve a family mystery before he can return home. The first all-new Pixar film since "The Good Dinosaur" features an all-Latino voice cast, including Gael García Bernal and Benjamin Bratt.

"Darkest Hour," historical drama, PG-13 Grade: B-plus. Winston Churchill's battle to convince Great Britain to continue to battle Germany in his first weeks as Prime Minister is the focus of this Joe Wright-directed film, this year's third to focus (at least in part) on the evacuation at Dunkirk. At the Fine Arts Theatre and other locations.

"The Disaster Artist," R, biographical comedy, Grade: B-plus. The story of Tommy Wiseau (James Franco), writer-director and star of "The Room," a 2003 movie widely considered to be among the worst ever made — a reputation that has made it a cult favorite. With Dave Franco. At Grail Moviehouse.

"Downsizing," drama with fantasy elements, R, Grade: A-minus. Matt Damon stars as an Omaha Steaks worker who elects to be shrunk to 5 inches tall to join a growing community of people who "get small" to live more luxuriously and help the environment. A social satire from writer-director Alexander Payne ("Election," "Sideways," "The Descendants").

"Father Figures," adult comedy, R. Upon learning that their mother (Glenn Close) has been lying to them for years about their allegedly deceased father, two fraternal twin brothers (Owen Wilson and Ed Helms) hit the road to find the various men who might be their real dad.

"Ferdinand," PG, animation. Mild-mannered Ferdinand the bull is mistaken for a dangerous beast and carted far away. A team of misfits joins him on his quest to get back home. With the voices of Kate McKinnon, Bobby Cannavale and John Cena.

"The Greatest Showman," musical, PG, Grade: D. A full-on Technicolor movie musical "inspired by the imagination of P.T. Barnum," as the marketing phrases it. In other words, it's more fantasy than history, with original music and songs and Hugh Jackman as Barnum. With Michelle Williams and Zac Ephron.

"Insidious: The Last Key," horror, R. The fourth installment in this successful series is a sequel to the prequel "Insidioius: Chapter 3," set prior to the events in the first two films. This time out, parapsychologist Dr. Elise Rainier (Lin Shaye) faces her most fearsome and personal haunting yet, in her own family home.

"Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle," action comedy, PG-13, Grade: B. A sequel only in title and concept (kids trapped in a game) to the 1995 original. This time four teenagers are ill-matched to jungle adventure video game avatars played by Dwayne Johnson, Kevin Hart, Jack Black and Karen Gillan, and the humor derives mostly from the discrepancy between the avatars and the teens inhabiting them (nerd becomes The Rock; mean girl is Jack Black, etc.). Except Hart, who just plays Hart.

"Lady Bird," dramedy, R, Grade: A. A teenager (Saoirse Ronan) weighed down by the low expectations of everyone around her, sets out to make her mark. The movie is already a hit in very limited release, and Oscar buzz is high for Laurie Metcalf, as Lady Bird's mother. At Grail Moviehouse.

Michael Cera and Jeremy Strong star in “Molly's Game."

Michael Cera and Jeremy Strong star in “Molly's Game."

Deseret News

"Molly's Game," fact-based drama, R, Grade: A. The true story of Molly Bloom (Jessica Chastain), an Olympic-class skier who ran the world's most exclusive high-stakes poker game and became an FBI target. Idris Elba plays her high-powered lawyer and verbal sparring partner. At Carolina Cinemark.

"Murder on the Orient Express," murder mystery, PG-13. Grade: C-minus. Kenneth Branagh directs himself as detective Hercules Poirot in one of Agatha Christie's most enduring whodunits, first filmed with an all-star cast in 1974. The new version adds some action outside the snowbound luxury train and brings together an all-new all-star cast. At Asheville Pizza & Brewing.

"The Shape of Water," period sci-fi, R, Grade: A. One of the most awards-nominated movies of the year finally arrives, from director Guillermo del Toro ("Pan's Labyrinth"). Set in a 1950s movies-inspired Cold War era, the movie imagines a creature similar to the Black Lagoon monster (Doug Jones of "Star Trek: Discovery") imprisoned in a lab, where he bonds with a mute cleaning woman (Sally Hawkins). Co-starring Richard Jenkins, Michael Shannon and Octavia Spencer. Opens Dec. 22 at the Fine Arts Theatre and other locations.

"Spirited Away," animated, PG, Grade: A. The now-classic 2001 feature from Hayao Miyazaki of Studio Ghibli follows the adventures of a sullen 10-year-old girl whose family is moving to a new home when she discovers a hidden world ruled by gods, witches and spirits where humans are changed into beasts. At Asheville Pizza and Brewing.

"Star Wars: The Last Jedi," PG-13, science fiction epic, Grade: B-plus. This is "Episode VIII" in a series of movies you may have heard of. This one starts with Rey (Daisy Ridley) learning the Jedi ways from Luke Skywalker (Mark Hamill). The rest of the "Force Awakens" crew also returns, except for the late Han Solo. (Spoiler!) At Grail Moviehouse and chain theaters.

"Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri," crime dramedy, R, Grade: B-plus. The mother (Frances McDormand) of a murdered daughter angers the local sheriff (Woody Harrelson) when she pays for three bilboards taking him to task for not solving the case. Filmed in and around Sylva and other WNC locations. At the Tryon Theatre in Polk County, 7 p.m. Jan. 10-14 only.

"Wonder," family drama, PG, Grade: B. Based on the novel by R.J. Palacio, the movie focuses on August Pullman (Jacob Tremblay), a boy with facial deformities who enters public school for the first time in the fifth grade. With Julia Roberts and Owen Wilson. Directed by Stephen Chbosky ("The Perks of Being a Wallflower"). At Flat Rock Cinema and other theaters.

Theater Directory

Asheville Pizza and Brewing

675 Merrimon Ave., 828-254-1281

ashevillepizza.com

AMC Classic River Hills 10

299 Swannanoa River Road, 828-298-4452

amctheatres.com

Carolina Cinemark

1640 Hendersonville Road, 828-274-8811

cinemark.com

Fine Arts Theatre

36 Biltmore Ave., 828-232-1536

fineartstheatre.com

Flat Rock Cinema

2700 Greenville Highway, Flat Rock, 828-697-2463

flatrockcinemas.com

Grail Moviehouse

45 S. French Broad Ave., Ste. 130, 828-239-9392

grailmoviehouse.com

Regal Biltmore Grande Stadium 15

292 Therford St. at Biltmore Park, 828-684-4380

regmovies.com

ASHEVILLE MOVIE GUYS NIGHT

The next Asheville Movie Guys feature will be "The Shape of Water" at 7 p.m. Jan. 15 at the Fine Arts Theatre, 36 Biltmore Ave., downtown Asheville. As always, Citizen Times subscribers are admitted for just $6.50 and can print out a coupon for free popcorn online at CitizenTimes.com/Insider/. To be added to the Movie Guys' email list to get notifications of future events, send an email with "Asheville Movie Guys" as the subject line to bsteele@citizentimes.com.